THE NORTH'S first 'Enterprise Zone' has been launched in Coleraine following a £2.7 million investment by the local council.
The Atlantic Link Campus, currently in development, represents a significant economic development for the north coast and the initial 20 acre site, part of an overall 40-acre designation, hopes to attract major foreign direct investment.
At the official launch yesterday the first anchor tenant was revealed as 5Nines, a global data centre company which will be investing an additional £20m in their operations and creating up to 15 jobs in the process.
The new enterprise zone, adjacent to the Ulster University Coleraine campus is a core element of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s vision for a digital causeway to international investment and they are now formally welcoming interest from tenants who will benefit from Enhanced Capital Allowances and the fastest high speed connectivity point between North America and Europe via the Project Kelvin, a high speed transatlantic fibre.
Global tech entrepreneur and investor Eileen Burbidge, who has worked in senior positions in Yahoo, Skype and Apple in Silicon Valley said she was optimistic the Atlantic Link site could create many jobs for the local economy.
"Based on the successes from other existing Enterprise Zones, e.g., 45 across England which have created 400 new businesses, employ more than 12,500 people and attracted more than £2 billion in private investment, I’m incredibly optimistic about the value creation which can come from the Atlantic Link Campus."
Paul Besley, general manager of 5Nines said Coleraine was the "perfect location" for the company's new datacentre, due to launch in January 2018.
"5Nines are delighted to be building our facility here and supporting the growth of the local digital economy through the creation of high growth potential media and technology businesses."
